Shelf construction of the built-up type



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United States Patent 3,039,619 SHELF CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILT-UP TYPE William B. Lyon, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignor to American Metal Products Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed June 14, 1954, Ser. No. 436,425 4 Claims. (Cl. 211-135) This invention relates to metal shelving, and particularly to metal shelving of the knockdown type which may be assembled into different types of units.

The shelving of the present invention embodies angle uprights having apertures for shelf-supporting brackets by which four uprights support a plurality of shelves on the brackets. The brackets are of S-shape formation and of substantial length having one portion thereof which projects within elongated apertures in one flange of the column. Between such rectangular apertures, bolt holes are pierced in both of the flanges of the uprights for the purpose of permitting shelves which are supported by bolts to be mounted on the uprights of the present invention. After the shelves have been supported on the brackets, suitable clam-ping means may be provided operating in conjunction with the brackets to lock the shelves in position. In most instances this locking mechanism may be eliminated since the weight on the shelves will retain them in fixed position. Connector plates may be provided which are supported in the rectangular apertures and are useful for tying the uprights of the two shelf structures together, for attaching various clips, brackets, cross braces and back closure panels to the uprights. With this construction, a simple tier of shelves may be assembled or several of the tiers may be interlocked with each other which are of the same or of different heights to thereby provide a counter top effect in part of the tier assembly.

Accordingly, the main objects of the invention are: to provide metal shelving construction made from a relatively few parts which may be assembled without tools, with the shelves spaced any desired distance apart; to provide a shelf construction made from uprights and cooperating brackets interrelated in such manner that nuts and bolts are eliminated; to construct a shelf assembly with uprights having rectangular apertures which support brackets on which the shelves are mounted and retained in position by interlocking means supported in the rectangular apertures and operating in conjunction with the brackets; to provide a plurality of shelf assemblies having uprights which are secured together to form a unit construction, and, in general, to provide a shelving structure which may be quickly assembled and which is economical of manufacture.

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will be specifically pointed out or will become appareat when referring, for a better understanding of the invention, to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a shelf assembly embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of structure, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1, with additional units secured thereto;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, taken on the line 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3, as viewed from line 44 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3, taken on the line 5--5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3, taken on the line 66 thereof;

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FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, taken on the line 7-7 thereof;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 10, taken on the line 8-8 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 10, taken on the line 99 thereof;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, taken on the line 10--10 thereof;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 12, taken on the line 11-11 thereof;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 7, taken on the line 129-12 thereof;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged broken view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, as viewed within the circle 13 thereof;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 13, taken on the line 14-14 thereof;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 13, taken on the line 15-15 thereof;

FIG. 16 is a broken view of structure similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, showing a panel welded to an upright;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 16, taken on the line 17-17 thereof;

FIG. 18 is a view of structure similar to that illustrated in FIG. 17, but including a second upright;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, broken sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, taken on the line 19-19 thereof;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 19, taken on the line 20-20 thereof;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 20, taken on the line 2121 thereof;

FIG. 22 is a broken sectional view of a shelf assembly showing the closure wall therefor;

FIG. 23 is a sectional View of the structure illustrated in FIG. 22, taken on the line 23-23 thereof;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 22, taken on the line 24-24 thereof, and

FIG. 25 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, taken on the line 25-25 thereof.

The present shelving structure, as illustrated in the drawings, is built up from angle uprights 26 which encompass the corners of shelves 27 and support the shelves in predetermined relation to each other. The uprights are of like construction, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, having flanges 28 and 29 disposed in right-angle relation to each other. It Will be noted from the figures that the flange 29 is of substantial width as compared to the flange 28 and is provided with a central portion 31 which is offset in the direction in which the flange 28 extends. The offset portion 31 is provided with aligned rectangular apertures 32 having a circular aperture 33 therebetween for a purpose which will be explained hereinafter. An aperture 34, similar to the aperture 33, is provided in the flange 28 in aligned relation to each other. When the uprights 26 support a side or back panel 35, the panel 35 is secured to the end portion of one of the flanges 29, as by welding. When two of the assembled units are to be disposed in adjacent aligned relationship, the uprights 26 are mounted in adjacent relation to each other, as

illustrated in FIG. 18, with suitable means, referred to hereafter, employed for retaining the two uprights in fixed abutted relationship.

The shelf 27, as illustrated more specifically in FIG. 9, has the edges along the longitudinal length thereof flanged downwardly at 36, which flange, along the major portion of its length, is flanged inwardly at 37 and then upwardly at 38. The adjacent edges at both sides of the shelf are flanged downwardly at 39 and inwardly at 41, with the length of the flange 39 shorter than the flange 36 so that the flange 41 is offset upwardly from the flange 37. Brackets 42 have an upwardly presenting channel section 43 with a flange 30 along one edge from which a reversely bent lip 44 extends, half of which is cut away at 45. With this arrangement, the lips 44 after extending through opposite rectangular apertures 32 of the adjacent uprights 26, will be in offset interlocking relation, as is evident from FIGURES 6 and 9. The flanges 39 and 41 of the shelf are received within the upwardly presenting channel portion 43 of the brackets which support the shelf on the upright. When weight is applied to the shelf, the shelf is securely anchored in position in the bracket in firm, fixed relation to the upright. The shelf may be positively locked in position Within the channel when desired, by the use of an S-shaped bracket 46, one branch of which engages the upper edge of the aperture 32. An angleshaped key 47 has one portion 50a thereof engaged in the opposite branch of the S-shaped bracket 46 and the other portion 50b thereof engaged with the top of the shelf 27, as illustrated in FIG. 9. A lip 48 on the key 47 rests against the outer surface of the flange 39 of the shelf 27 and prevents the tilting of the key outwardly from locked position which would otherwise occur.

In FIGS. 7 and 12, a further form of locking element is illustrated which, while not as positive as the lock illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, has the advantage of being made from a single piece of material. The locking element 49 is made from angle-shaped strap material to have a head 50 at the junction of the two branches thereof and a struck-out hook 60 near the upper end. The hook is so located as to project within the aperture 33, with the bead 50 engaging the top of the shelf 27 so that a pressure must be applied to the lower end of the element to force the bead 50 over the edge of the shelf, as illustrated in FIG. 12. This securely locks the element and the shelf in fixed relation to each other. The locking element 49 may be provided with an aperture 40 which is offset from the center line to permit the lower end to be released from locked position by -a rod which extends through the aperture and engages the inner surface of the element on the opposite side of the uprights 26.

Referring to FIGS. and 6, a further use of the rectangular apertures 32 is that for securing the flanges 29 of the uprights 26 in unit fixed relation to each other. In this arrangement, flanged channel elements 51 and 52 have the webs of the channel portion abutting each other when the channel portions extend through the apertures 32, with the outwardly extending flanges 53 overlapping the outer face of the flange 29 of the uprights. A bolt 54 extending through apertures in the webs of the channels securely clamps the two flanged channel elements 51 and 52 in unit relation to each other against the flange 29, and thereby retains the uprights in firm, fixed relation to each other.

While preferably the top shelf 27 is secured in position by bolts 55 extending through the apertures 33 and 34 in the uprights26 and the corners of the shelf, in FIGS. 3 to 6 further means are illustrated. A shallow notch 56 is provided in the upright above the top aperture 33 for supporting the bracket 42 in which the top shelf is supported. A locking angle member 58 is secured to each upright 26 by the bolt 54. Each angle member 58 has an end flange 59 containing a notch 61 which receives the flange 37 of the shelf to thereby prevent the shelf from moving upwardly. The angle member 58 has an elongated slot 62 through which the bolt 54 extends to permit the adjustment of the member on the upright 26. As pointed out hereinabove, this arrangement is employed in special instances when the top shelf is not directly bolted to the uprights but is supported thereon by the brackets 42.

When an open shelf construction is desired, it will be noted in FIG. 1 that cross braces 63 are employed between the flanges 29 of the end upright to which the ends of the braces are secured by the bolts 54. In a like manner,

cross braces 64 are employed at the back of the assembly and are secured to the flange 28 of the uprights by suitable bolts 54. When a closed type of shelf assembly is desired, then the two flanges 29 of the uprights have the panel 35 welded thereto as described above in regard to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18. Thus, a panel 35 may be employed as vertical partitions between two shelf units and also for enclosing the ends thereof. The panels 35 take the place of the cross braces 63 since they provide rigidity to the assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, panels 65 may be employed in place of the cross braces 64 at the back of the shelf assembly between the flanges 28 of the uprights 26. Such panels may be directly welded to the flanges 28 and may be provided in two parts which overlap each other in the center in order to reduce the size thereof and the package in which the panels are shipped. When the panels are not welded to the columns, clamps are provided which secure the panels thereto. A clamp 66 has a web portion 67 which is secured to the upright by the bolt 54. A channel-shaped finger 68 extends into a pair of apertures 69 along the edge of the sheet which holds the sheet against the flange 28 when secured to the upright by the bolt 54. The bolt 54 may also secure a similar clamping member 66 when a pair of the uprights is secured in abutting relationship. A plurality of the clamps 66 are employed throughout the length of the upright for clamping the sheet to the flange 28 of the pillar. Similar apertures 69 are provided in the inner edge of the sheet which, when disposed in aligned relation, may be locked together by a clamping bracket 71 having a necked locking lip 72 which, when extended into the aligned aperture 659 and rotated and dropped against the inner face of the panels, locks the panels in aligned relationship. The clamp is so formed as to have a projecting flange 73 which receives the flanges 37 and 38 of the shelf 27 to provide additional support for the center of the shelf against sagging under load. It will be noted that when the uprights stand alone, as at the end of the assembly, the flanged channel elements 52 are reversed so that the lip portions 53 of both elements 52 and 51 will abut the opposite sides of the flange 29 of the uprights. By employing the overlapped pair of panels 65 and the clamping brackets 71, diflerent spacing of the uprights lengthwise of the assembly may occur to fit shelves of different lengths. It will be noted that the web 67 of the clamp 66 has an end flange 74 which extends over the end of the flange 29 of the upright 26 to prevent the bracket from pivoting about the bolt 54, which thereby prevents the sagging of the back panel 65.

Partitions 75 may be employed between the shelves to divide the space into any desired length, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, l9 and 20. Thepartition has a flange 76 at the top and bottom for engagement with the under side and top of the two adjacent shelves when disposed therebetween. Bolts extend through the flanges and the shelf to secure the partition in position. The front edge of the shelf has a rolled edge 77, as clearly illustrated in the figures, and the top front edge of the shelf is cut away at 78 for receiving the flanges 36, 37, 38 at the front edge of the shelf. A similar cutaway portion is provided at the rear edge of the shelf to clear the flanges along the rear edge thereof.

In FIGS. 1, 2, 10, 11 and 12, a kick bar 79 may be mounted between the flanges 28 of the uprights 26 disposed between the floor and the flanges 37 of the bottom shelf. The bar is of channel shape having the web extended at each end and divided to provide a central finger 81 disposed in the plane of the web, with offset fingers 82 at each side of the finger 81. The fingers 81 and '82 are offset the thickness of the flange 28 of the upright which extends therebetween and retains the kick bar in fixed position. Similarly, when a bin is to be provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 13, 14 and 15, a front wall portion 83 has fingers 84 extending outwardly and flanged laterally in the plane of the wall. The finger 85 is disposed between the fingers 84 and extends outwardly a less amount and is flanged laterally to be spaced from the fingers 84 the thickness of the flange 28 of the column 26 which, when disposed therebetween, secures the ends between the uprights. The bottom of the wall has a portion 86 which extends outwardly and then downwardly to mate with the top edge of the shelf 27 and is provided with apertures 87 by which the portion 86 is bolted to the front face of the flange 36 of the shelf. The wall preferably has struckout tabs 88 to form a card holder which supports a card which designates the articles which are disposed within the bin. The top portion of the wall has a rolled edge 89 to provide a trim which is smooth and provides substantial strength to the wall.

It will be noted in FIG. 1 that a pair of shelf assemblies 90 and 91 are disposed in fixed relation to each other, having the adjacent flanges 29 of the uprights bolted together. In this arrangement, one of the pair of flanges 29 of the uprights has a panel 35 welded thereto, with the upright of the adjacent assembly 91 bolted directly thereto, as described above with regard to the structure illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. In FIG. 2, the two assemblies 90 and 91 are illustrated as being joined with a pair of assemblies 92 and 93. The shelves 27 of these latter assemblies are of counter top height and are aligned with the adjacent shelves of the assemblies 91 and 92. The assembly 93 is illustrated as having the partitions 75 mounted in the two spaces between the three lower shelves. The assembly 92 is illustrated as having a pair of bins mounted between the two spaces between the three lower shelves. Additionally, partitions 94 are provided longitudinally to divide the bins into smaller compartments. These partitions have a rolled edge at the top and a flange 76 at the bottom which is bolted to the shelves. It will be noted that a panel 95 is secured to the end upright 26 of the assembly 92 and a rear panel 96 is secured to the two rear uprights thereof to close one end and the rear of the bins. A central panel 97 extends between the assemblies 92 and 93, separating the assemblies from each other, providing rigidity to the assembly and closing the end of the inner bin.

In FIG. 25 the interconnection of the four uprights 26 in the center of the assemblies 90, 91, 92 and 93 of FIG. 2 is illustrated. The abutted flanges 29 of the uprights are secured by the bolts 54 which secure two pairs of the clamps 66 thereto. The flanges 28 of the uprights are secured together by the clamps 66 which have the fingers 68 thereof interlock in different pairs of the apertures 69 in the rear panels 65 to secure the panels to the uprights and the flanges 28 in clamped engagement to each other.

It will thus be seen that by the use of uprights and shelves a simple but rugged shelf assembly may be constructed. By the use of additional panels, brackets and clamps, the simple shelf assembly may be provided with end and back panels, with partitions and bins. A plurality of the assemblies may be tied together to make many types of structures to fit the need of the user. The uprights employed in the assemblies have rectangular apertures in which the shelf supporting brackets are secured and have circular apertures therebetween for receiving the bolts to secure the known types of shelves to the uprights so that such shelves may be employed in the assemblies of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A shelving assembly including, in combination, four uprights of angle shape having rectangular slots in one branch thereof, upwardly presenting channel-shaped brackets having a flange forming a downwardly presenting hook at one side thereof secured in a rectangular slot of the uprights and occupying substantially one-half of the length thereof, shelves having downwardly extending flanges which extend into the channels of the brackets and support the shelves on the uprights, and locking means having a flange forming a hook which extends into the aperture in which the bracket is supported and secured in position by a Wedge element which engages the top of the shelf and retains the shelves in locked relation to said uprights forming a unit construction.

2. A shelving assembly including, in combination, four uprights of angle shape having rectangular slots in one branch thereof, upwardly presenting channel-shaped brackets having a flange forming a downwardly presenting hook at one side thereof secured in a rectangular slot of the uprights and occupying substantially one-half of the length thereof between an end and the center of the slot, shelves having downwardly extending flanges which extend into the channels of the brackets and support the shelves on the uprights, locking means having a flange forming a hook which extends into the aperture in which the bracket is supported and secured in position by a wedge element which retains the shelves in locked relation to said uprights forming a unit construction, and means interconnecting the uprights at the sides and rear to provide rigidity to the unit assembly.

3. The combination with a pair of uprights of like construction, each having a pair of branches disposed at right angles to each other, one of said branches having an offset portion extending inwardly relative to said other branch and containing a plurality of apertures, said two branches being united with a space between the offset portion by a pair of channel-shaped clamps having projecting flanges, the web of the channel of said brackets containing an aperture through which a bolt extends to draw the channels together and the branches into fixed abutted relation to each other with the offset portions in spaced relation.

4. The combination with a pair of uprights of like construction, each having a pair of branches disposed at right angles to each other, one of said branches having an offset portion containing a plurality of apertures, said two branches being united with a space between the offset portion by a pair of channel-shaped clamps having projecting flanges, the web of the channel of said clamps containing an aperture through which a bolt extends to draw the channels together and the branches into fixed abutted relation to each other with the offset portions in spaced relation, one clamp of said pair having the channel portion of greater depth than the other clamp.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 891,968 Allen June 30, 1908 1,002,859 McFarlane Sept. 12, 1911 1,227,703 Ulrich May 29, 1917 1,336,971 Levene Apr. 13, 1920 1,423,861 Levene July 25, 1922 1,487,856 Hauserman et al Mar. 25, 1924 1,508,610 OConnor Sept. 16, 1924 1,698,946 Edgren Ian. 15, 1929 1,820,716 Vance Aug. 25, 1931 1,821,990 Skar Sept. 8, 1931 1,871,972 Fernstermaker Aug. 16, 1932 1,966,928 Friedel July 17, 1934 1,990,629 Bales Feb. 12, 1935 2,005,593 .Onions et al June 18, 1935 2,516,122 Hughes July 25, 1950 2,604,213 Bales et al. July 22, 1952 2,626,063 Echlin Jan. 20, 1953 2,639,043 Dunham May 19, 1953 2,700,476 Maintain Jan. 25, 1955 

